As the New Year waltzes in, so does the grand spectacle of setting resolutions – those promises we make to ourselves in the hopes of turning our lives into a blockbuster hit. Ah, the familiar scene: more resolutions crumble by the end of January than leftover holiday cookies. Drive past the gym in the first week of January versus the first week of February, and the evidence is clear. But fear not, my resolution comrades, for in this rollercoaster of goal-setting, there’s comedy, chaos, and a sprinkle of wisdom.
A Beacon of Purpose: Resolutions are like the guiding stars on your celestial map, leading you to a purposeful and intentional year. Think of them as the GPS for your life, except with more flair. Take a moment to reflect, sketch out your plan for the year – in pencil, of course.
Breaking the Monotony: Resolutions spice up your life like adding hot sauce to a bland dish. Forget the mundane; we’re in for a salsa of excitement. I like to make a super fun goal for the year – resolutions don’t need to be boring. One of mine is to learn Spanish enough to have a conversation with someone.
Milestones to Celebrate: Achieving resolutions is like throwing yourself a one-person parade. Every small win is a reason to throw confetti, dance like no one’s watching, and maybe even treat yourself to a victory donut. I mean, without goals, how would you know how you are doing?
A Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully accomplishing a resolution is like winning a gold medal in the quirky sport of life. Stand on that podium, wear your imaginary crown, and bask in the glory of your achievement.
Overly Ambitious Goals: Setting goals that rival climbing Mount Everest in a day might be a tad ambitious. You’re only setting yourself up for failure. But I always say no goal is too ambitious. The trick is breaking them down into manageable parts.
Fear of Failure: The fear of not hitting the resolution bullseye can be like wearing a straitjacket at a dance party – uncomfortable and limiting. Remember, it’s okay to do the cha-cha with setbacks; it’s all part of the dance. Miss a deadline on a goal? That’s ok. Reassess and keep moving forward.
Neglecting the Journey: Focusing solely on the destination is like speed-eating a gourmet meal. You miss the flavors, the nuances, the deliciousness of the journey. Slow down, savor each step, and don’t forget to chew. Sometimes we lose focus on why we have the goal in the first place if we are just looking at the finish line.
Lack of Flexibility: Being as flexible as a robot doing yoga can hinder your resolution groove. Life is a dance, not a military march. Adaptability is your secret weapon – it’s like bringing a rubber chicken to a sword fight.
Unhealthy Comparison: Comparing your resolution journey to others is like comparing apples and spaceship launches – it just doesn’t make sense. Your resolutions are uniquely yours and they only need to make sense for you. Is your resolution to be able to juggle 7 balls at once? Great! And just because I have no desire to learn how to juggle anything, that does not mean I won’t have your back 100%.
Assess the Situation: Take a step back and look where you are. Are you happy with what you see? Are you a big hot mess right now? Both are ok. Be honest with yourself and think about how things are going with life – health, relationships, money, work, and whatnot. What is working well? What needs to improve? Use this reflection as a guide to setting your resolutions. Last year I made a resolution to keep track of my money better. Mostly because I was starting a business and needed to but also to see where all my money is going. The amount of money I spent last year on Chinese takeout – ouch!
Define Your Goals: Start with just one or two. It’s ok if you have more, but it is best to start off slow to focus and then add more down the road. Write them down, draw a picture, cement them in your mind. Be as specific as you want to be. The clearer the picture, the easier it is to achieve. Some people like to make a vision board so they can look at it every day. If you want, share your goal with others. Some people feel a sense of accountability if they share their goal with others. You might even find a goal buddy that has a goal similar to yours. Rather keep it to yourself? Some goals you might not feel comfortable sharing with others and that is ok too.
Creating Smaller Steps: Mini-goals are like the appetizers before the main course of success. Each small victory is a delightful bite-sized treat. Want to travel more? A goal could be to take a day trip to someplace new once a month. Or have you been dreaming of a big vacay? Do some research. Look to see what is needed. How much money do you need to save? Do you need passports? Deposits? I think no goal is unachievable if you want it badly enough. It might take more time than you want but if you keep working towards it, it will happen.
Regular Review and Adjustment: Life is the improv session you never signed up for. Periodically review your resolutions, adjust your strategy, and roll with the punches. Flexibility is your cape – wear it proudly. And also don’t be afraid to say this goal is not working for you. Sometimes you don’t actually want what you think you want and that is ok. There is no way 20 years ago I would have pictured my life as it is now.
Do you have any resolutions for the New Year? Celebrate the highs, laugh at the lows, and remember that the best resolutions are the ones that make you embrace this carnival ride called life. May your resolutions be as bright as the stars, and your spirit shine through the coming year!
Travel Turtles 